UPSO makes major drug bust, Bernice man arrested

A Bernice man was arrested on multiple narcotics counts after a joint investigation by the Union Parish Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Postal Service.

Agents with the sheriff's Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs arrested Adam Christopher Harris, 30, of 1036 Hog Pen Road, after postal inspectors informed them of the arrival of the drugs from California.

"The marijuana confiscated with this arrest is really high-grade," Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates said. "We also confiscated some hashish that we haven't seen in the parish for a number of years. It was a good bust."

Charges lodged against Harris on Friday included possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of hashish, possession of firearms in the presence of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gates said the investigation started in July, that several buys were made by BNDD and warrants had already been drawn up on seven other charges. They include four counts of distribution of marijuana, two counts of distribution of hashish and one count of distribution of Hydrocodone.

Agents said they had made a number of buys from the suspect that turned out to be high-grade marijuana and hashish. Only one buy was not high-grade.

The agents said Friday's delivery included 1 1/2 pounds of high-grade marijuana with a street value of more than $20,000 and 175 grams — about 6 1/4 ounces — of hashish valued at more than $5,000.

Agents also found two butter containers and kief powder. The kief powder was infused with regular butter that was used to make chocolate chip cookies, which were also confiscated. Two pistols also were found inside the residence along scales and a pipe for smoking.

Kief powder is obtained from dredges left after processing of marijuana and hashish. It contains a high content of THC, the chemical that causes a high for its users.

Total bond on the warrants is $104,000. Bond on Friday's charges will be set later.